Improvement in bridle-bits



E. WILDER.

BRIDLE-BITS.

No.184,026. Patented Nov.7.1876.

rrrrnn STATES EZRA WILDER, OF SOUTH HINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BRlDLE-BITS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 184,026, dated November 7, 1876; application filed September 22, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EZRA WILDER,"of South Hingham, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented Improvements in Bridle-Bit, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to improvements in bridle-bits; and consists in a bit having its bar or mouth-piece covered with a wooden shell; also, in the combination, with the cheekpieces and bar, of a cheek-piece holder, substantially as hereinafter described.

Figure 1 represents one of my improved bridle-bits in longitudinal section; Figs. 2 and 3, modified forms of wooden shells; and Fig. 4, a detail of the cheek-piece holder, the caps being in section.

The cheek-pieces a are cast or formed in any usual way, the bar 1, to which the ring 2 is connected, being preferably in one solid piece from end to end. The holder for the cheek-piece is composed of a base, b, provided with prongs c, or equivalents, an internallyscrew-threaded portion, d, and a cap-piece, c, the base and cap-piece being adapted, as at 3, to receive between them a portion of the vertical bar 1 of the cheek-piece. The cheekpiece is placed in position between b and c, and the prongs are then riveted, thereby holding the cheek-piece securely within the opening provided for that purpose in the holder. A plated or other covering-cap, f, (see dotted lines, Fig. 4,) may he placed over the holder, for purposes of ornamentation. The bar g, of metal, is screw-threaded at each end, to enter the portion d. The shell h, of Wood, usually of hard wood, is preferably reduced at its center, as at 4, to alfcrd room for the tongue under it, and at 5 it will be enlarged, to be easy in the mouth.

In Fig. 3 the enlarged portions 5 are adapted to bear upon the gums in the mouth of the horse, such form of bit being preferable with horses hard to hold.

I have ascertained by practical trials that horses will not chew the wooden shell, and that such shell is not objectionable, as is a metallic mouthpiece.

A wooden shell is cheaper than one of leather or of india-ru bber, and I consider it more durable than either. V

In putting the bit together, I prefer to employ washers l of leather, or any suitable material, between the ends of the shell and the cheek-pieces.

I do not desire to limit this invention to the particular forms of shell shown, as other forms may be made; but I prefer in all forms of bridle bits to have the central portion smallest.

If desired, this shell might be covered with leather, cloth, or india-rubber; but I prefer to use it uncovered.

I claim l. The combination, with the bar of a bridlebit, of a wooden shell, substantially such as described.

2. The combination, with the cheek-piece, of the screw-threaded holder, constructed and adapted to be applied to the cheek-piece, substantially as described.

3. The holders 1) c d e, in combination with the bar 9 and cheek-pieces, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EZRA WILDER. Witnesses:

G. W. GREGORY, W. J. PRATT. 

